Poems by George Pope Morris Part 4

Land-Ho!

UP, UP WITH THE SIGNAL!--The land is in sight!

We'll be happy, if never again, boys, to-night!

The cold cheerless ocean in safety we've pa.s.sed, And the warm genial earth glads our vision at last.

In the land of the stranger true hearts we shall find, To soothe us in absence of those left behind.

Land!--land-ho!--All hearts glow with joy at the sight!

We'll be happy, if never again, boys, to-night!

THE SIGNAL IS WAVING!--Till morn we'll remain, Then part in the hope to meet one day again!

Round the hearth-stone of home in the land of our birth, The holiest spot on the face of the earth!

Dear country! our thoughts are as constant to thee As the steel to the star, or the stream to the sea.

Ho!--land-ho!--We near it!--We bound at the sight!

Then be happy, if never again, boys, to-night!

THE SIGNAL IS ANSWERED!--The foam-sparkles rise Like tears from the fountain of joy to the eyes!

May rain-drops that fall from the storm-clouds of care, Melt away in the sun-beaming smiles of the fair!

One health, as chime gaily the nautical bells: To woman--G.o.d bless her!--wherever she dwells!

THE PILOT'S ON BOARD!--thank heaven, all's right!

So be happy, if never again, boys, to-night!

Woodman, Spare that Tree! [See Notes]

Woodman, spare that tree!

Touch not a single bough!

In youth it sheltered me, And I'll protect it now.

'Twas my forefather's hand That placed it near his cot; There, woodman, let it stand, Thy axe shall harm it not.

That old familiar tree, Whose glory and renown Are spread o'er land and sea-- And wouldst thou hew it down?

Woodman, forebear thy stroke!

Cut not its earth-bound ties; Oh, spare that aged oak, Now towering to the skies!

When but an idle boy, I sought its grateful shade; In all their gus.h.i.+ng joy Here, too, my sisters played.

My mother kissed me here; My father pressed my hand-- Forgive this foolish tear, But let that old oak stand.

My heart-strings round thee cling, Close as thy bark, old friend!

Here shall the wild-bird sing, And still thy branches bend.

Old tree! the storm still brave!

And, woodman, leave the spot; While I've a hand to save, thy axe shall harm it not.

The Cottager's Welcome.

Hard by I've a cottage that stands near the wood-- A stream glides in peace at the door-- Where all who will tarry, 'tis well understood, Receive hospitality's store.

To cheer that the brook and the thicket afford, The stranger we ever invite: You're welcome to freely partake at the board, And afterwards rest for the night.

The birds in the morning will sing from the trees, And herald the young G.o.d of day; Then, with him uprising, depart if you please-- We'll set you refreshed on the way: You're coin for our service we sternly reject; No traffic for gain we pursue, And all the reward that we wish or expect We take in the good that we do.

Mankind are all pilgrims on life's weary road, And many would wander astray In seeking Eternity's silent abode, Did Mercy not point out the way!

If all would their duty discharge as they should To those who are friendless and poor, The world would resemble my cot near the wood, And life the sweet stream at my door.

The Land of Was.h.i.+ngton.

I glory in the sages Who, in the days of yore, In combat met the foemen, And drove them from our sh.o.r.e.

Who flung our banner's starry field In triumph to the breeze, And spread broad maps of cities where Once waved the forest-trees.

--Hurrah!--

I glory in the spirit Which goaded them to rise And found a might nation Beneath the western skies.

No clime so bright and beautiful As that where sets the sun; No land so fertile, fair, and free, As that of Was.h.i.+ngton --Hurrah!--

The Flag of our Union.

"A song for our banner?"--The watchword recall Which gave the Republic her station: "United we stand--divided we fall!"-- It made and preserves us a nation!

The union of lakes--the union of lands-- The union of States none can sever-- The union of hearts--the union of hands-- And the Flag of the Union for ever And ever!

The Flag of our Union for ever!

What G.o.d in his mercy and wisdom designed, And armed with his weapons of thunder, Not all the earth's despots and factions combined Have the power to conquer or sunder!

The union of lakes--the union of lands-- The union of states none can sever-- The union of hearts--the union of hands-- And the Flag of the Union for ever And ever!

The Flag of our Union for ever!